Is the first pick really worth it?

The one bonus to the Detroit Lions going 0-16 last year is that they will get the first overall pick in tomorrow's NFL Draft, but one must really ask is that such a good thing? Why you might ask? First of all the first pick in the NFL Draft will demand an enormous amount of money without ever taking one snap. The last four #1 picks were Alex Smith (signed a 6 year $49.5 million contract), Mario Williams (5 year $54 million contract), Jamarcus Russell (6 year $68 million contract), and Jake Long 5 year ($57.5 million deal.)
The two that mean the most this year are Alex Smith and JaMarcus Russell because they are both quarterbacks and ther Lions are projected to take Mathew Stafford with the first overall pick. The issue is Alex Smith has not been what San Francisco was hoping and just a few years later isn't even the clear cut starter heading into camp, JaMarcus Russell is the starter, and has the talent, but hasn't brought it all together yet either to justify that kind of money. So as a team there has to be concern when looking at drafting a quarterback first.
Another issue that has come up is because the team needs to sign their pick after they draft them they may hold out and miss training camp and part of the season making their develpment even a longer process. That is why the Lions are trying to come up with a deal tonight with Stafford befroe they draft him, so they can guarentee that he will be at mini camp and training camp. If they can't reach a deal they may not take him. Which then again brings up an issue with the draft. You should be able to pick the player you need/want and the issue of them demanding too much money shouldn't play a part.
So tomorrow if Detroit does pick Stafford, they will be investing a ton of money into a player who has never played in the NFL and could set the team back years in the salary cap. A reason they could trade the pick if they don't feel they can reach a deal with who they want!